Main Reasons Why Google Ads Are Not Working

(07:22:05 PM, 25/04/2025)
Google Ads can be an effective tool for attracting new customers and increasing conversion opportunities. Advertising on Google can help enhance your brand awareness, especially when combined with image and video ad campaigns on the Google Display Network. A VietSEO company can help you optimize your campaigns for better results and greater reach.

Introduction to Google Ads

Google Ads is a powerful online advertising platform that allows businesses to reach potential customers through Google’s search engine and display network. With the Pay-Per-Click (PPC) model, advertisers only pay when someone clicks on their ad, helping to optimize costs and improve audience targeting. Whether you're running global campaigns or targeting Vietnam search ads, the fundamentals remain the same.

However, Google Ads does not always run smoothly. Issues such as ads not displaying or underperforming are common challenges. In this article, we will explore the reasons why ads may not be showing, how to check for issues, and solutions to ensure your campaign runs effectively.

Main Reasons Why Google Ads Are Not Working

How to Check When Google Ads Is Not Working

Before identifying the causes and solutions, you need to check whether your ads are actually running. Here are some simple and accurate steps to do so. A Viet SEO company can assist you in diagnosing any issues and ensuring your Google Ads campaigns are running smoothly.

1. Use the Ad Preview & Diagnosis Tool

Google provides the Ad Preview and Diagnosis Tool, which allows you to check your ads without affecting actual impressions. This tool helps you:

  • See how your ad appears on Google Search.
  • Diagnose errors and determine why your ad is not displaying.

2. Check Ad Status in Your Google Ads Account

Log into your Google Ads account and review the status of your campaigns, ad groups, and keywords in the dashboard:

  • If there are warning icons (🔴/🟡), read the accompanying message to identify the issue.
  • Common issues include budget depletion, invalid keywords, or policy violations.

3. Factors That Affect Ad Visibility

  • Limited budget: Ads may stop showing if the daily budget is exhausted.
  • Low keyword quality score: A low Quality Score can reduce ad ranking.
  • Google policy violations: Ads may be disapproved if they violate content or setup policies.

Why Are Google Ads Not Showing & How to Fix Them?

After checking, if your ads are not appearing, identify the specific cause and apply the appropriate solution. Viet SEO services can help you troubleshoot and resolve any issues to ensure your Google Ads campaigns perform effectively.

1. Insufficient Budget or Account Balance

🔹 Cause:

  • Your daily budget or account balance has run out, causing ads to stop running.

✅ Solution:

  • Check your account balance and ensure there is enough budget to keep ads running.
  • Increase your budget if necessary to maintain consistent ad visibility.

2. Ads Disabled by Google

🔹 Cause:

  • Your ad content violates Google’s policies, such as misleading information, prohibited products, or inappropriate keywords.

✅ Solution:

  • Review and edit your ad content to comply with Google’s guidelines.
  • Resubmit the ad for approval.

3. Incorrect Campaign Configuration

🔹 Cause:

  • Incorrect targeting (wrong location, device, or audience settings).
  • Low bid amounts causing ads to be outcompeted.

✅ Solution:

  • Review and optimize your campaign settings.
  • Use the Ad Preview & Diagnosis Tool to detect errors.

4. High Competition in Your Industry

🔹 Cause:

  • Competitors may have higher bids or better Quality Scores.

✅ Solution:

  • Optimize your Quality Score to reduce costs.
  • Use long-tail keywords with lower competition.

5. Ads Pending Approval

🔹 Cause:

  • New or edited ads require Google’s approval before they can be displayed.

✅ Solution:

  • Wait for the approval process (usually a few hours to a day).
  • Ensure your ad follows policies for faster approval.

6. Slow Landing Page Speed

🔹 Cause:

  • Google ranks ads lower if the landing page loads slowly, reducing visibility.

✅ Solution:

  • Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check and optimize your landing page.
  • Improve loading speed by optimizing images, code, and hosting.

How Google Ads Works & Tips for Campaign Optimization

Google Ads works by allowing businesses to bid on keywords to have their ads shown in search results and across the Google Display Network. To maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns, it’s essential to optimize keyword selection, ad copy, and targeting strategies. The VietSEO agency can help you refine your Google Ads campaigns, ensuring you reach the right audience and drive better results.

1. How Google Ads Works

Google Ads operates on an ad auction system, where:

  • Advertisers select keywords relevant to their product/service.
  • Google runs an auction whenever a user searches for that keyword.
  • The ad ranking is based on bid amount (CPC) and Quality Score.
  • Ads can appear on Google Search or the Google Display Network (GDN).

2. How to Optimize Your Google Ads Campaign

Step 1: Optimize Keywords

  • Use Google Keyword Planner to select effective keywords.
  • Add negative keywords to avoid unwanted clicks.

Step 2: Write Engaging Ads

  • Include main keywords in the headline.
  • Write a clear and concise description highlighting product benefits.

Step 3: Improve Quality Score

  • Create optimized landing pages that match ad content.
  • Increase Click-Through Rate (CTR) by using ad extensions.

Step 4: Monitor & Adjust

  • Use Google Ads Reports to track performance and optimize campaigns.
  • Conduct A/B testing to determine the best-performing ads.

Conclusion

Google Ads is a powerful advertising tool, but to maximize its effectiveness, you need to understand how it works and how to troubleshoot potential issues. By checking, fixing errors, and optimizing campaigns, you can improve ad performance, reach the right audience, and increase sales. The Viet SEO team is here to guide you through the process, ensuring your Google Ads campaigns run smoothly and deliver the best results.

Hopefully, this guide helps you successfully launch and manage your Google Ads campaigns!